MVSKOKE RESERVATION – The Federal Bureau of Investigation is increasing reward amounts for information about certain Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) cases through the Voices not Forgotten Initiative. The initiative is now offering a minimum reward of $25,000 for information on over 50 FBI cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous people. The unsolved murders of Muscogee (Creek) Nation citizens Angel Beach and Warren William “Thomas” Fultz are among the cases listed on the FBI’s website, and the only two in Oklahoma.
The minimum reward increases were announced by the FBI in a press release on the initiative, dated Wednesday, August 18.
The Voices Not Forgotten initiative was created to increase investigative leads in unsolved violent crimes in Indian Country. It follows Savanna’s Act, the Tribal Law and Order Act, Operation Not Forgotten, and the Not Invisible Act Commission- initiatives established to work more closely with Tribal law enforcement to reduce violent crimes. However, federal MMIP initiatives have seen both setbacks and surges during the second Trump administration.
Operation Not Forgotten led to surges in resources and collaborations with Tribal law enforcement in April 2025. Yet in November 2025, the Department of Justice removed the “Not One More Report” from its website. The report contained findings and recommendations from the Not Invisible Act Commission. The congressionally-mandated report was labeled as containing “Anti-Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” content. Reps. Sharice Davids (Kansas) and Gwen Moore (Wisconsin) criticized its removal from the DOJ website.
In May, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum signed Secretary’s Order 3450, establishing the Indian Country Violent Crime Task Force. According to a statement made by Burgum on Wednesday, July 14, the order creates public safety enhancements and refocuses responsibilities for the Missing and Murdered unit. The department is currently requesting a $11 million budget for the Missing and Murdered unit that would include 26 full-time positions. If approved, it will go into effect in the 2027 fiscal year.
On Tuesday, Sept. 1, the Department of the Interior Office of the Inspector General released an audit of the Missing and Murdered Unit. The audit found the Bureau of Indian Affairs must “improve its case intake process and victim services.” As of November 2024, the unit had 83 open cases and 394 pending referrals.
Additionally, the audit found that the MMU inconsistently provided victims with the services required under its own standard operating procedures. Further, under the Victims’ Rights and Restitution Act, some services may be required.
Unsolved Cases
Angel Beach was shot in the parking lot of the Laundry Station located at 6302 South Peoria Avenue in Tulsa on Monday, October 19, 2020. She died the next day from her gunshot wound. The suspected shooter is described as a tall, skinny, light-skinned Black male.
Warren William “Thomas” Fultz went missing from his home in Okmulgee on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. His remains were found in a wooded area in Boynton on Saturday, October 16, 2021.
According to the FBI’s website, the department has special jurisdiction over certain crimes committed in Indian Country. Its jurisdiction comes from the General Crimes Act and the Major Crimes Act.
Three conditions must be met for the FBI to become involved. The investigation must be predicated on a criminal act within the FBI’s jurisdiction. The crime has to have occurred on a reservation where the FBI has jurisdiction. The suspect, the victim, or both must be American Indian or Alaska Native.
Native Americans and Alaskan Natives are disproportionately affected by violent crimes. As of Tuesday, June 30, there are approximately 1,485 active missing person cases identified as being American Indian or Alaskan Native.
To view a full list of featured cases and where to find them on an interactive online map, go here. For those with information regarding these cases, contact the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office at 405-290-7770 or the Bureau of Indian Affairs at 1-833-560-2065. Electronic tips can be submitted to tips.fbi.gov/home.
